Telstra increases data download limits on Next G network

From tomorrow more Australians will be able to use and explore more mobile internet content, video and email on the nation’s largest and fastest national mobile network – the Next G network – with the release of new, increased data download limits on the most popular data plans.

Telstra Consumer Marketing and Channels Executive Director, Ms Glenice Maclellan, said the changes would not impact reliability, customer experience or service quality, following network enhancements to increase data capacity.

She said that with more than four million 3G customers, Telstra had increased its understanding of mobile data use, as well as enhanced network capacity and spectrum following the closure of the CDMA network in late April.

“Telstra’s Next G network enables the latest handset features to come to life at turbo-charged speeds, so customers can experience greater functionality and superior content as device manufacturers catch up with Next G capabilities,” Ms Maclellan said.

“Recent network enhancements like the 3G Direct Tunnel technology will meet the needs of increased broadband traffic over the Next G network, in addition to the extra spectrum made available by the shutdown of CDMA.

“Since we launched the world-leading Next G network in October 2006 we have extended coverage to 99% of the population and become Australia’s 3G market leader. We have learned a lot about the way our customers use their mobiles to access content, email, the mobile internet and video.

“Not only can our customers access the internet faster and in more places, Telstra also offers a host of mobile BigPond content such as 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, BigPond TV, Mobile FOXTEL from Telstra, Yellow Mobile search, breaking news, weather forecasts, coverage of AFL and NRL including exclusive full match replays and more.”

The changes include:

$10 mobile data packs will now include 150 megabytes of data – up from 20 megabytes;

$29 mobile data packs will now include 300 megabytes of data – up from 80 megabytes; and

Excess data usage rates have been reduced on these two data packs.

Telstra customers already using a $10 or a $29 browsing pack will automatically have the additional data allowance added to their plans over the coming months. Customers who don’t have a browsing pack can visit their local Telstra Shop or dealer to discuss their data needs or call 125 111.

To ensure a great customer experience and provide flexibility and control, customers are sent a reminder SMS when they are getting close to their included data allocation (at 80 per cent) and again when the data pack is finished (100 per cent). They can also check their data use on the web.